Jun 1, 2012 - 2nd RV

After a sumptuous breakfast in our elegant hotel, taxis took the 14 of us and all our luggage (!) to the nearby RV rental place to get our RVs. We were first to complete the paperwork so we had time to completely unpack and store our things where we had them in the last rig - same make and almost identical model. Once everyone got their wheels we were off to get gas and groceries. It was easier for us as we have shopped in Germany before but it was a new experience for the other 12! Consequently Dieter's plan to leave the parking lot at...

May 30, 2012 - In Frankfurt

We ate our farewell breakfast in our hotel breakfast room with Sue and Charlie before they had to leave for their flight back to Chicago this morning. Our breakfast was again a great meal with many choices of cereal, fruit, juices, cheese, meats, breads, etc. I got our travel paperwork ready to mail to Sequim (brochures, notes, postcards) and a few items we didn't want to keep carrying. Late morning we did our own walking tour of the old city and areas not too far from our hotel. Though much of the city was destroyed in WWII some buildings...

May 29, 2012 - Back to Frankfurt, Germany

We were up early to eat breakfast, wash the final dishes, dump the toilet cassette and gray water, strip the bed, take out the trash, etc. 8:30 and we were all on the road driving the first dozen kms along the lovely Rhine River enjoying the scenery. After that it was heavy traffic with several slow downs so I didn't see much of the scenery for the rest of the 40+ miles. We stopped at a gas station to top off the diesel before turning in the rig. It took about an hour for our rig to be inspected and our paperwork completed. We were charged...

May 28, 2012 - on the Rhine River

May 28 – On the Rhine River We had a beautiful day to take a river cruise on the Middle Rhine [Rhein] River from Rudesheim to St. Goar. Vineyards populate the steep hills on both sides of the swift current that often hides shallows and rocks. There are 21 castles and historic ruins along here but only 2 fortresses have remained in tact. The best know ruin is the Werner Chapel in Bacharach. Nowhere else in the world are there more castles located in a similar size area than here. After 2 ½ hr. we disembarked in the castle town of St. Goar...

May 27, 2012 - Rudesheim, Germany

May 27th – to Rudesheim, Germany A day of driving, mostly on the autobahn. Filled up with diesel at 1.519/liter. Took 55.56 liters and cost of 84.40 euros. (You math folks can figure out the cost per gallon if you like.) As we neared Rudesheim and our cg it was a pretty drive along the Rhine River [Rhein] on the left with vineyards on the right. Very pretty cg; lots of flowers, huge restrooms but no WiFi. I did manage to do some hand wash and a load of laundry (3.50 euros each for W & D) so we're pretty well caught up as we move into the...

Oct 30, 2011 - Rudesheim

Similar day to yesterday, we are sailing in the morning to Rudesheim where our tour starts at 12:30pm. Daylight saving finished during the night so we got an extra hour of sleep, much appreciated. The tour starts with tourist tram ride to Siegfried’s self-playing musical instrument museum. They have the best collection and the guided tour lets you listen to some of them. They ranged from giant music boxes to machines that played piano, violins, banjos, accordions, drums etc. The video was working so we should have some good footage so you...

Oct 28, 2011 - Rudesheim

Cruising down the Rhine Gorge and Rudesheim. Today is Castle Day. It is a scenic cruise through the most famous stretch of the Rhine River. We saw the Marksburg Castle and the Loreley Rock along with many other castles and beautiful trees dressed in autumn colours. Stunning. We were not game enough to take our eyes off the scenery. Hard to put into words just how pretty - you will have to come and have a look for yourself!! In the afternoon the ship docked in the town of Rudesheim, famous for Riesling, taverns and Siegfried’s Musical...

Sep 20, 2011 - Rudesheim

Grosse family took us to old town called Rudesheim which is a starting point for a lot of the Rhine River tours. Cute and old so mom loved it. Took a ski lift up to the top of the mountain for a great view and lunch at the top. Then drove along the Rhine to see the castles that dot the river, and to a location called the Lorely. Apparently its a narrow spot on the Rhine where many boats have capsized, and legend has it that the Lorely (mermaid) distracted the captains with their beauty which is why they crashed. Had "cafe schtunda" (sp??)...

Jun 22, 2011 - Our Adventures so Far

Wow! It is amazing to think that we are already half way through our river cruise! I am so sorry that I have not updated you sooner, but it is amazing a) how fast time goes, b) how hard it is to find time to write when we are vacationing (!) not to mention the limited access to the internet while cruising on the Mosselle & Rhine Rivers! I will try to update you on our trip this far all in one entry as it has been a fun & exciting journey! (As I enter information, I would also like to introduce you to the "Travel Moose". He is our version of...

Apr 6, 2010 - Day 5 - Rudesheim

My first solo trip! Went by myself to a town called Rüdesheim - pronounced Roo-da-zime. I had an mini-introduction to how it'l be when I start my big solo journey on Sunday. I must say...I wasn't too thrilled with all the time I had for introspection! :P These few days are going to be just small day trips from F'furt..since Alex has to work...and we leave for his hometown only on Friday. So after a bit of discussion, we narrowed down on rudesheim as my destination for the day. Felt good to already be able to navigate around the city by...